| From the masterful
Italian director of recent classics such as "L'Ultimo bacio (The
Last Kiss)" and "Ricordati di me (Remember Me My Love)", comes this
crowd pleasing film about family bonds and the internal drive to
survive and succeed. "The Pursuit of Happyness" is a film
designed to make Christmas audiences weep... and it will work.
Chris Gardner (Will Smith) is a struggling salesman in the early
1980's. His wife Linda (Thandie Newton) is working two shifts
and is none too pleased. Their son Christopher (Jaden Smith)
spends most of his days in an Asian day care center, for which they
are paying too much. Chris' life is barely hanging on
financially. Rent is due and prospects are few and far
between.
As his marriage is collapsing, with Linda about to leave them
behind, Chris stumbles upon an opportunity to intern at a brokerage
firm. Unfortunately, the first six months pay nothing and
there is no guarantee of getting the job at the end. However,
he sees no other alternative.
This film follows those harrowing six months as Chris and his son
are forced to endure the streets penniless and desperate. This
is a film about enduring the worst financial pressures with only a
glimmer of light at the end of a long tunnel.
I will say that the film does tug at the heartstrings. If
you don't shed at least one tear over the two hours, you are rather
numb. The performances are superb throughout. One scene
in particular comes to mind as Chris shields his son from the pain
of a night spent in the subway by pretending it is all a fun game.
What Will Smith does in those scenes is quite moving.
Does it all get a tad too manipulative? Does it dwindle
occasionally toward TV-movie emotions? Yes and yes. But
it is forgivable because it is earnest and based on a true story.
It never feels false. It never feels like a lie designed for
emotional effect.
I also question the focus of the film's message from time to
time. I admire and respect the nobility of the film's "family
first" message. However, I was discouraged by the "chasing of
the Yankee dollar" message. It often seemed that the film was
implying that being rich would make these people happy... which in
itself may be somewhat true, but felt a tad unappealing to see in
such clarity.
"The Pursuit of Happyness" is a crowd pleaser. It will not
have too many detractors. Despite my few gripes, I enjoyed the
tale and recommend it to those who like the occasional tear-jerker.
It is a good film that will become standard holiday fare on cable TV
afternoons for years to come. |
